know not God and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ 2 Thes 1. 7 8. Somewhat of this was typically injoyed by Solomon before he departed from the Lord according as God promised the Lord gave him rest on every side so that there was neither adversary nor evil occurrent 1 Chron. 22. 9. 1 King 5. 4. But behold a greater than Solomon is here There were then enemies in being but now there shall be no more a pricking bryar unto the house of Israel nor a grieving thorn c. Ezek. 28. 24. Psal 72. Violence shall no more be heard in the Land wasting nor destruction within thy borders but thou shalt câ—ll thy walls salvation c. and the dayes of thy mourning shall be ended he will then destroy them that have destroyed the earth and precious shall be the blood of his Saints for he will take vengeaence on those that have slain them and been enemies to them Isa 60. 12 20. 63. 1 4. with the assurance of this he strengthens the weak hands and feeble knees viz. that he their God wiâ—l come with vengeance God with a recompence for the Lord God of recompences will surely requite all the injuries done to his Saints he will come and save them Isa 35. 3 4. Jer. 50. 27 28. 51. 56. He will then bind their Kings in chains and their Nobles in fetters of iron and his people shall have an hand with him therein to execute upon them the vengeance written this honour have all his Saints Psal 149. 4 9. Those righteous ones that are taken away by death do enter into peace and are freâ—d from oppression but yet their blood is not avenged but they cry with a loud voice how long O Lord holy and true dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth for this they wait it was said unto them that they should rest yet for a little season c. Rev. 6. 9 11. but then he will thoroughly plead their cause shall not God avenge his own elect which cry unto him day and night I tell you he will avenge them speedily Luke 18. 7 8. vengeance is his and he will repay Rom. 12. 19. Rev. 11. 18. their eye shall then see their desire upon their enemies Psal 92. 11. 112. 8 10. in righteousness shall they then be established they shall be far from oppression for they shall not fear and from terror for it shall not come near them Isa 54 7 8 13 14. then he will compleatly and gloriously bless his people with peace and they shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace Psal 29. 11. 37. 11. 3. They when thus raised and freed from all evil shall be ever with the Lord in companionship with him the dead in Christ shall rise first then we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and so shall we ever be with the Lord 1 Thes 4. 15 17. he will then come and receive them to himself that where he is they may be also Joh. 14. 1 3. This is his will concerning them that those the father hath given unto him should be with him where he is Joh. 17. 14. The tabernacle of God even Jesus Christ in his personal body shall then be with them and he wiâ—l dwell with them Rev. 21. 3. indeed now he dwells in their hearts by faith but faith is the evidence of things not seen but then they shall have a personal and-glorious injoyment of him according to that Zeph. 3. 14 17. Sing O daughter of Zion shout O Israel be glad and rejoyce with all the heart O daughter of Jerusalem the Lord hath taken away thy judgment he hath cast out thine enemy the King of Israel the Lord is in the midst of thee thou shalt not see evil any more the Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty he will save thee The name of the City from that day shall be The Lord is there Ezek. 48. 35. and then there will be a gathering together of the righteous as unto him so one unto and with another and his coming and their being gathered together unto him are put together 2 Thes 2. 1. Now in a spiriâ—ual and invisible consideration they meet together they are all one in Jesus Christ and all in heaven and earth are one family one house and instruction given to them here to indeavour to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace but yet they are severed and scattered as to personal society and so at a distance one from another and many of them unknown one to another yea some of them not owning one another to be of the same body whom yet Jesus Christ hath received they are now scattered and separated one from another Sometimes by contentions judgings and dâ—spisings one of another and this is matter of great lamentation and when they fall out they are hardly reconciled it being the work of Satan and his instruments to dig up evil and in their lips is a burning fire they are set on fire of hell and would set all on fire they sow strife and indeavour further to separate and make the breach wider by whispering and secretly fomenting jealousies and so are separating even chief friends Prov. 16. 27 28. Hâ—nce they are admonished to be angry and not sin not to let the Sun go down upon their wrath neither give place to the devil Eph. 4. 26 27. the devil is watching for such an advantage and therefore needful to be warned that we be slow to anger and quick from it seeing a brother offended is harder to be won than a strong City and their contentions are like the bars of a Castle Prov. 18. 19. How oft now are they separated in their affections and delightful fellowships through that sin that dwells in them and policy of Satan the weak envying and judging the strong and the strong instead of bearing the infirmities of the weak pleasing themselves and despising and setting at nought those that have not what they have Rom. 14. Act. 15. 39. But then the envy of Ephraim shall depart Ephraim that had less shall not envy Judah and Judah that was preferred before and lifted up above their brethren shall not vex Ephraim Isa 11. 13. with 1 Sam. 1. 6. Now also they are scattered by the wise and gracious disposition of the housholder the Son of man he sows them abroad in the field of the world for the good of the world that they might be instruments of his praise according to their capacity that men seeing their good works may glorifie their father which is in heaven and so that his way may be known on the earth his saving health among all Nations Mat. 13. 24 37. Psal 67. 1 2. But then his elect shall be gathered together from the four winds from one end
what God hath been putting into their hands Ezek. 33. 31 33. The love of money is the root of all evil not only of the evil of sin but also of judgment and affliction and it appears that the Apostle doth include that also in the evil of which covetousness is the root for he saith which while some have coveted after they have erred from the faith this is a great iniquity and that which leads to many other iniquities and pierced themselves with many sorrows caused much grief and procured many judgments to themselves 1 Tim. 6. 9 10. So when the Prophet had been saying The righteous perisheth c. and merciful men are taken away the Lord as I conceive shews that this was the cause of this judgment For the iniquity of his covetousness I was wroth and smote him I hid me and was wroth c. Isa 57. 1 17. This iniquity followed after causeth men to hate faithful reprovers and so provokes God to take them away Mic. 2. 2 6. yea this being inclined unto and persisted in and suffered to bring forth its fruits will even procure that great judgment of depriving such of or of the usefulness of all faithful helpers or such as have the words of wisdom fitted in their lips for speaking profitably unto others so for this the Lord threatens Amos 8. 3 13. The songs of the temple shall be howlings in that day saith the Lord God c. Hear this ye that swallow up the needy even to make the poor of the Land to fail saying when will the new Moon be gone that we may sell corn and the Sabbath that we may set forth wheat when will those appointed days and meetings be over that we may follow and seek after our profit that we may buy aâ—d sell and get gain making the Ephah small namely the measure and so we may say the weight or any thing they sell and the shekel great getting as much money as they can though to the defrauding and over-reaching another and think this honesty too and falsifying the ballances by deceit that they may wrong others as follows the Lord hath sworn by the excellency of Jacob surely I will never forget any of their works shall not the Land tremble for this I will turn your feasts into mourning and your songs into lamentation And Behold the dayes come that I will send a famine in the Land not a famine of bread or a thirst for water but of hearing the words of the Lord and they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord and shall not find it Yea this and its direct fruits provokes God to shut out mens cryes even the oppressions of those upon whom God's name is called and their want of pity and mercy their with-holding more then is meet tendeth to poverty even to poverty in spiritual things it provokes God to take away or with-hold such faithful helps for their growth as they might have had and such betrusting with the true riches as might have been committed to them If therefore saith our Saviour to his Disciples ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous Mammon who will commit to your trust the true riches and if ye have not been faithful in that which is another mans who shall give you that which is your own This is anothers given to them for the good of others and especially that they might communicate to those that teach them in all good things if they have reaped their spiritual things their duty is also to Minister unto them in carnal things Luk 16. 9 12. Gal. 6. 6. Rom. 15. 27. And as I was saying it causeth God to hide his face that he will not hear To this purpose is that of the Lord by the Prophet Isaiah The new Moons and Sabbaths the calling of Assemblies I cannot away with it is iniquity or grief even the solemn Meetings c. And when ye spread forth your hands I will hide mine eyes from you yea when ye make many prayers I will not hear your hands are full of blood And what he means by blood he afterwards explicates and shews to be their oppression and not shewing mercy to the oppressed and helpless for he adds Wash you make you clean put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes cease to do evil learn to do well seek judgment relieve the oppressed judge the fatherless plead for the widow Come now let us reason together saith the Lord though your sins be as scarlet they shall be as white as snow c. Isa 1. 10 23. Like whereto is that Isa 58. 3. 12. Wherefore have we fasted say they and thou seest not c. Behold in the day of your fast ye exact all your labours Is not this the fast that I have chosen to loose the bands of wickedness Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house when thou seest the naked that thou cover him and that thou hide not thy self from thine own flesh then shall thy light break forth as the morning Then thou shalt call and the Lord shall answer thou shalt cry and he shall say here I am c. Add hereto also that of the Lord by the Prophet Zechariah Thus speaketh the Lord of Hosts saying execute true judgment and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother and oppress not the widow nor the fatherless the stranger nor the poor c. but they refused to hearken yea they made their hearts as an Adamant stone therefore it is come to pass that as he cryed and they would not hear so they cryed and I would not hear saith the Lord Zech. 7. 9 13. He shall have judgment without mercy that hath shewed no mercy Jam. 2. 12 16. And truly there might be some intimate reproof of these to whom the Apostle speaks for being so much inclined to this evil in that he appeals to them and saith Your selves know that these hands have ministred to my necessities and those that were with me it had been a small thing for him or those with him to have reaped of their carnal things who sowed unto them spiritual things Act. 20. 33 34. with 1 Cor. 4. 11 12 14. 9. 11 12. Eph. 4. 28 32. 5. 1 2 3 5 6. 4. And to add no more when pride is not hidden from the people of God but they retain high thoughts of themselves by their wisdom knowledge gifts and attaiments c. and go on serving their pride and bringing forth the fruits thereof in envyings strifes contentions divisions for only by pride cometh contention Prov. 13. 10. 28. 25. and are not with all lowliness indeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace this deprives their souls of good it hinders them from partaking of one anothers grace and of that delightful and profitable fellowship in the Gospel of Christ they might have
unto him and tell what thou hast done hide it not Josh 7. 19. While men are pleading their innocency or hiding their sin and crying out only of the affliction they therein indeavour to disannul his judgment and condemn him that they may be righteous Job 40. 8. whereas in a right examining our selves in the light of the Loâ—d and taking shame to our selves as it appears thereby to belong to us and so humbling ourselves we shall herein rightly glorifie him and acknowledge that he is righteous in all he hath brought upon us and that he hath not done without a cause all he hath done in the midst of us yea that he hath not laid upon us more than is meet or was needful to seal home our instruction and make us partakers of his end in afflicting us 2 Chron. 12. 6. Neh. 9. 33. Job 34. 23. Dan. 9. 7 14. yea we shall have cause abundantly to confess and acknowledge to his praise that he hath not in thus afflicting us dealt with us according to our sins nor rewarded us according to our iniquities but hath punished less than our iniquities deserve Psal 103. 9 10. Ezra 9. 13. It is of the Lords mercies that we are not consumed because his compassions fail not Lam. 3. 18 22. This will strengthen us to say I will bear the indignation of the Lord because I have sinned against him Mic. 7. 9. Yea consider that there is mercy with him as to forgive our iniquities and heal our backslidings so also to make up our â—â—sses and repair our breaches yea though our breach be like the great Sea and none can heal it though our bruise be incurable and wound grievous and there are with us no healing Medicines yet he can and in returning to him will restore health unto us and heal us of our wounds Jer. 30. 12 13 17. Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death Because they rebelled against the words of God and contemned the counsel of the most high therefore he brought down their heart with labour they fell down and there was none to help then they cryed unto the Lord in their trouble and he saved them out of their distresses He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness for he hath broken the gates of brass and cut the bars of iron in sunder And whoso is wise and will observe these things even they shall understand the loving kindness of the Lord. Psal 107. 10 16 43. Oh that we may not be tempting God and limiting the holy one of Israel and say can he help us can he repair our breaches but consider what he hath done already and in that incouragement and as that is working in us both to will and to do Come and let us return to the Lord for he hath torn and he will heal us he hath smitten and he will bind us up Hos 6. 1 2. Isa 57. 1 15 18. Levit. 26. 40. 42. Yea and be we admonished to examine our selves and to return to him in confessing our sins lest we provoke him to make further breaches upon us lest his soul depart from us and he make us utterly desolate of our glory Jer. 6. 8. For if we be not reformed by these liftings up of his hand but still walk contrary to him he will proceed in walking contrary to us and will yet punish us Levit. 26. 21 24. such like strokes as these are not only great judgments in themselves but also fore-runners of greater so when the Prophet was declaring the greatness of such a judgment as in which there was none to guide Jerusalem among all the sons she had brought forth namely that it was an heavy testimony of God's displeasure such as in which she had drank at the Lord's hand the cup of his fury the dregs of the cup of trembling wrung out he then signifies that this was also the forerunner and concomitant of greater judgments therefore he adds These two things are come unto thee who shall be sorry for thee desolation and destruction and the famine viz. that also of hearing of the words of the Lord and the sword c. Isa 51. 17 19. See what our Brother hath spoken more largely to this purpose in lamentation over the dead in Christ Page 30 33 37 38. and in breach upon breach pag. 8 12. And so much the Apostle here signifies I know saith he that after my departure shall grievous wolves enter in amongst you not sparing the flock c. ver 29. 30. Oh that the consideration of all might awaken us to gather our selves together before the decree bring forth before the day pass as the chaff before the fierce anger of the Lord come upon us before the day of the Lords anger come upon us that we may seek the Lord seek righteousness and meekness that either he may graciously turn away his anger and judgments further threatned or however we may be hid in the day of the Lord's anger Zeph. 2. 1 3. Amos 4. 2. 12. 2. He now commits these to God and the word of his grace that they might take heed to themselves and to the flock to feed them as ver 28. And so for instruction to them and to them and to such as now go before others in the word of the Lord yea to all that are faithful in the Lord that to the end they may edifie themselves and one another they commit themselves to this person and thing quietly leave themselves with the great Shepherd and the Word of his grace expecting helpfulness herein even wisdom strength and direction to all their service for in Christ as declared in the Gospel they may be furnished unto every good word and work in this person and thing to which he commends them they might be every way furnished for feeding and edifying themselves and one another in Christ as manifested in the word and so in the word of Christ there is given matter wherewith to seed instruction to the manner how to feed and motive to move hereto 1. Matter wherewith to feed namely to nourish them up with the words of faith in which Christ is declared to be the Author and finisher of the faith and of good doctrine 1 Tim. 4. 6. that they might grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ 2 Pet. 3. 18. the thing wherewith they might feed them it was the Gospel of Christ as opened according to the revelation of the mystery in which is the sincere milk whereby men may grow and be nourished up 1 Pet. 2. 2. And so the Apostle in this his exercise in directing them on such an occasion to God the word of his grace was a follower of God gave such instruction to these as God gave to the leaders of the people in former â—imes to whom he said This is the rest even that foundation laid in
Zion where ye may cause the weary to rest and this is the refreshing namely that matter wherewith they might refresh those to whom they spake in directing them to the vision of all even to Jesus Christ as he was witnessed in the Law and the Prophets Isa 28. 12 16. These are Pastors after God's own heart that feed with knowledge viz. with the doctrine of Christ and with understanding with skilfulness in the word of God's righteousness Jer. 3. 15. To this then he commits them as to that wherewith they might do all their work for the Gospel of Christ is the power of God to salvation to every one that believeth So the Apostle charges Timothy Preach the word namely the Word of truth the Gospel of our salvation be instant in season out of season 2 Tim. 4. 2. And this he determined to know amongst the Corinthians even Jesus Christ and him crucified as the one thing for and unto all things 1 Cor. 2. 2. Yea this our Saviour commanded his Apostles to preach the Gospel as the one thing in and unto their whole work of discipling Mat. 28. 19 20. Mark 16. 15. Luk. 24. 46 48. and so they did preach even Jesus Christ and not themselves or the Law Rom. 10. 8. Act. 10. 42. yea our Lord Jesus the great peace-maker and peace-preacher was anointed with the holy Ghost to preach the Gospel Isa 61. 1 3. Luk. 4. 18. And it 's the work and office of the holy Ghost to bear witness of Christ to glorifie Christ and therewith to convince the world of sin of righteousness and of judgment and to guide the believers into all truth and to shew them things to come Joh. 16. 8 14. Surely this word of God's grace is a compleat doctrine both for opening the eyes of the blind and turning to the Lord and for perfecting them that do believe so as there is no need for preaching the Law either at first to prepare men for Christ or afterwards to perfect that by the flesh which was begun by the Spirit In Christ as declared in the testimony ye are compleat c. Col. 2. 3 10. Nor is the Law in the use of it good unless it be lawfully used according to the glorious Gospel 1 Tim. 1. 7 8 11. This is that food then wherewith they might feed even with the Gospel of Christ in which is spiritually given to us his flesh which is meat indeed and his blood which is drink indeed and so here they might be instruments of causing the flock to lye down in green pastures this God even our God being alwayes with this word of his grace in the plain and faithful ministration of it to give himself to us to feed upon even his flesh which he hath given for the life of the world And so in green pastures Psal 23. 2. namely such as are delightful and pleasant to the eye and sweet to the taste sweeter than honey and the honey comb Psal 19. 7 10. 119. 103. And such as are fruitful and which cause growth and increase that from the head all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministred and knit together may increase with the increase of God Col. 2. 19. For this bread of life cometh down and is given to us in this Gospel of grace so as that while Paul planteth and Apollo watereth God giveth the increases the feeding that is in this word of his grace is not dry like the heath in the wilderness but that which hath â—â—p in it and in which the Lord is the dew unto his Israel to cause them to revive as the corn and flourish like the Palm-tree and grow like a Cedar in Lebanon Psal 92. 13 15. Hos 14. 5 6. 2 Thes 1. 3. And green pastures such as are not â—ouled and sullied but this word is very pure it is a wholsom word Psal 12. 6. 119. 140. there is no lye of it 1 Joh. 2. 27. every word of God is pure Prov. 30 4 6. Though men may corrupt the word of God in their interpretations and glosses and meanings which they put upon it yet it is pure in it self and he hath kept it and will preserve it so in the records of it that we may safely â—eed thereon and therewith And green even tender and easie of digression for the weakest milk for babes as well as strong meat for those that are strong yea such an abundance of feeding here is that the flock may lye down as satisfied as with marrow and 〈◊〉 and lye down and still feed and such security in those pastures as they may lye down and none shall make thâ—â— afraid Jer. 23. 4. Herein also they might instrumentally dâ—rect them to the still waters to give refreshing to their thirty â—â—uls even to him who is the fountain of living waters in whom is forgiveness of sins and fulness of spirit who is filled with grace and truth in whom is and who gives water of life which causeth fatness and fruitfulness and gives satisfying so as he that drinketh hereof shall never thirst yea their soul shall be as a watered garden and as springs of water whose waters fail not Joh. 4. 10 14. Isa 58. 11. and these are still waters even the consolations of Christ as given in the Gospel like the waters of Shiloah that run softly and make no noise in the world This doctrine of the grace of God is not like the divers and strange doctrines of men which make a noise like the noise of many waters and who have the wisdom of this world excellency of speech strength of reason consent of fathers approbation of great ones and power on their sides which makes them appear so strong as if they would carry all before them but this is the weakness of God and foolishness of God and that which being declared in the words which the holy Ghost hath taught is every where spoken against Isa 8. 6 7. 1 Cor. 1. 25. Act. 28. 22. And yet still waters in their effect that whereby God doth and will still and quiet the enemy and the avenger Psal 8. 2. confound the wisdom of the wise and bring to nought the understanding of the prudent and will make them quiet that they shall have nothing to say Act. 6. 10. the weapons of this warfare are mighty through God to the pulling down strong holds casting down imaginations c. 2 Cor. 10. 4 5. yea still waters waters of quietness in their efficacy to any and every one that takes and drinks of this water of life which any one may do freely Isa 55. 1. Rev. 22. 17. they give quietness to the soul cause it to dwell at ease Psal 25. 13. cool its thirst quiet its fears still the clamours of sin deliver from the fears of God's wrath and make quiet from the fear of all evil adversity and tribulation so as in Christ they have peace while they have tribulation in the world Joh. 16. 33. yea
he is the great Apostle and High-Priest of the believers profession and able to save to the utâ—ermost all that come to God by him and they that forsake him shall be ashamed of all other confidences consolations bread of secresies and stollen waters while in him all the seed of Israel shall be justified and shall glory 2. We have also direction given us to know so as to beware of those grievous wolves Our Saviour gives a general one to his Disciples By their fruits ye shall know them Mat. 7. 15 16. where by their fruits is not meant their outward cloathing or outward appearance Such may seem unto men to have a good life and conversation and be therein blameless among men Phil. 3. 6. appear outwardly righteous unto men Mat. 23. 28 desire to make a fair shew in the flesh Gal. 6. 16. have a form of godliness upon them 2 Tim. 3. 5. abstain from many gross evils Luk. 18. 11. be transformed as the Ministers of righteousness 2 Cor. 11. 15. boast of their sufferings and preaching freely 2 Cor. 11. 7 13 23. zealously affect the believers Gal. 4. 17. commend themselves and justifie themselves before men 2 Cor. 10. 7 12 18 Luk. 16. 15. promise others liberty and fulness of contentment and satisfaction in listening to them Prov. 7. 14 18. 2 Pet. 2. 18 19. and yet be inwardly ravening wolves and therefore the way to know them is not by their outward appearance for that may be so specious in evil workers that the believers themselves while judging and walking as men may have such a good opinion of them as to fall too much in love with them and to count them their enemies who give a true discovery of them Gal. 4. 16 and occasion grief to those that are over them in the Lord and admonish them because they are so hardly perswaded to beware of them Phil. 3. 18. judge not according to appearance saith our Saviour but judge righteous judgment Joh. 7. 24. as signifying the judging according to appearance is not righteous judgment for such as are the enemies of the Cross of Christ may have a beautiful outside do ye look on things after the outward appearance saith the Apostle when he is warning of deceitful workers 2 Cor. 10. 7. This is the way to be mistaken and deceived But by their fruits is meant 1. The fruits of their lâ—ps even those divers and strange doctrines which they bring in which they cause to err from the words of knowledge And this appears to be the meaning of it and not their outward appearance because such have sheeps cloathing as is said before as well as also it is a direction for knowing not evil persons in general but false Prophets in particular Now how should they be known so well as by their strange voice and a strange voice it is indeed to hear persons that appear to be and are by many taken for sheep and have sheeps cloathing upon them to bark like wolves against the Shepherd and the Testimony of Christ to appear like a Lamb and speak as a Dragon as is said of the man of sin Rev. 13. 11. and this understanding of it suits well with what our Saviour gives as the reason why the sheep will not follow a stranger which also he calls a wolf namely because of their voice and not their outside appearance A stranger saith he they will not follow but will flee from him for they know not the voice of strangers Joh. 10. 4 5 12. by their words then they may be discovered and condemned And that this is meant â—y fruits will further appear by those rules of direction given to know false Prophets by by the Apostles I shall particularly pitch upon those two given by the Apostle John 1 Joh. 4. 1 6. where he warns the believers not to believe eye y spirit but to try the spirits whether they are of God because many false Prophets are gone out into the world And that we may try them he gives two rules for tryal by which we may know them 1. Every spirit that confesseth not Jesus Christ come in the flesh is not of God and this is that spirit of Antichrist ver 3. So again 2 Joh. 7. Many deceivers are entred into the world who confess not Jesus Christ come in the flesh this is a deceiver and an Antichrist The person they confess not is Jesus Christ which is come in the flesh and hath finished the work which the Father gave him to do in his own body even Jesus of Nazareth who was born in the dayes of Cesar Augustus when Cyrenius was Governour of Syria who was delivered for our offences and raised again in the same body in which he was crucified the third day according to the Scriptures as distinguished from all other persons and things And by confessing is meant an open and plain acknowledgment that he hath come with a praising commending and speaking honourably of him according to the Scriptures giving thanks unto him or giving him the praise which is due unto him and so thankfully acknowledging in their doctrines that he hath done such things is become and is such an one as the Father hath testified of him So where it is said Psal 18. 49. I will give thanks unto thee or praise thee it is thus rendred Rom. 15. 9. I will confess to thee among the Gentiles So where we read in Psal 107. 8 15 21 31. Oh that men would praise the Lord. In every of these verses in the former translation it is rendred confess So Mat. 11. 25. At that time Jesus said I thank or praise thee it is in the Margin I confess c. See also Heb. 13. 15. So here Every spirit that confesseth not Jesus Christ which is come in the flesh that is that praiseth not magnifieth nâ—t lifteth not up celebrateth not him is not of God We may instance a little particularly 1. Those persons confess not praise not Jesus Christ come in the flesh who tell us That the bread and wine in the Supper when consâ—crated is transubstantiated into the very body and blood of Christ They hereby praise not that Jesus of Nazareth that was born of the Vâ—rgin Mary and dyed for our sins at Jerusalem and is raised again but somewhat else in the room and stead of him that was not then nor many hundred years since in being which was never crucified for us never buried never raised again as he was yea blasphemously they lift up and magnifie themselves who think they can make their Saviour and so are greater than he besides they cast him down from his excellency for he is but one 2 Cor. 5. 14. 1 Cor. 8. 6. but of these it may be said according to the number of their Cities are their Christs as Jer. 2. 28. 2. So also they confess not Jesus Christ who say the body of our Lord Jesus lyes where they laid it and is turned to dust and rottenness
21. Thus Micah at such a time incourages himself Micah 7. 1 7 9. And David wâ—en shut out from the personal Society of God's people Yet saith he the Lord will command his loving kindness in the day time in the proper season of it in the day of prosperity and in the night his Song shall be with me â—in the time of affliction while I sit in darkness his tryumphing Song over sin death hell c. That his own right hand and his holy Arm hath gotten himself the victory and my prayer unto the God of Life See Psal 42. 8. with Mica 7. 8. Psal 98. 1. and 84. 10. 11. And oh that we may not forget this consolation in Christ which still speaks to us to wit the Lord liveth but that we may trust and rejoyce in him and pour out our requests and complaints to him when we look on the right hand and behold but there is none that knows us refuge fails us no man cares for our soul as Psal 142. 2. Now namely when he was departing from them and had foretold them that grievous Wolves should enter in among them and that of themselves men should arise speaking perverse things c. Ver. 29 30. That they might be instruments of saving themselves and others so be signifies to us That now its high time for us to apply our selves to God and to the word of his grace when God is taking away faithful and eminent watchmen before the number of their days that are with him are determined or in the midst of some good work now we are called upon especially to awake to Gods righteousness that we be not driven away by Wolvish persecutors or carried about with divers and strange doctrines to stir up our selves to lay hoâ—d on his strength and have our hearts established with grace yea and to watch one over another lest any man fail of or fall from the grace of God fighting the good fight holding forth the Word of Life See how solemnly on this account the Apostle awakens and charges Timothy I charge thee before God and the Lord Jesus Christ who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his Kingdom and so thee also for we must all appear before the Judgement seat of Christ Preach the word be instant in season and out of season reprove rebuke exhort with all long suffering and doctrine For the time will come when they need will indure sonnd Doctrine c. But watch thou in all things indure affliction c. For I am now ready to be offered up and the time of my departure is at hand I have fought the good fight c. 2 Tim. 4. 1. 7. So Pâ—ter on like account stirs them up to a being mindful of the Commandments of the Apostles c. 2 Pet. 1. 13. with chap 3. 1. 3. 4. 16. 18. While such eminent and faithful labourers were living others might be too remiss and negligent and think they might be excused because these faithful ones were so forward and willing to supply their lack of service and so resolute to warre this good warfare but when God is depriving of such he is calling aloud upon others to watch and that those to whom he hath committed the word of reconciliation and given fitness furniture for holding it forth should stir up the gift of God that is in them that they may be preserved from the errour of the wicked and be pure from the blood of all men even for preaching Christ and therewith warning every man and teaching every man in all Wisdom And indeed this resignation is particularly added to that remembrance the Apostle gives that he had not ceased to warn every one with tears and this to signifie that now especially it lies upon those that go before others in the word of the Lord to apply themselves to God and attend his word of grace that they may warn all doctrinally and as need is personally with the spirit of meckness to wâ—rn the unruly and deal faithfully and plainly one with another in reproving and rebuking as need requires and occasion is given and not to daub with untempered Mortar and cry peace peace for some may not indure this afterwards and though I think we cannot blame our Brother for unfaithfulness in this particular yet he bewailed it that he had not warned when he had opportunity and yet surely was a faithful reprover Oh take heed now especially of flattering or giving flattering titles to any and so of hating your Brother and suffering sin upon him Levit 19. 17. That you may preserve your selves and one another in the grace in Christ and warn while others will hear as need is lest they dye in their sins and their blood be required at your hands and let those that are faithful and upright hearted among the believers who are the glory of the Churches say to those over them when need requires Take heed to the ministry ye have received of the Lord that ye fulfill it as Col. 4. 17. to such purpose the Apostle now commends them to God c. â— The Persons whom he thus resigns and these he calls Brethren and speaks 1. Directly to the elders of the Church those appointed to be guides to the rest who had doubtless also some gift given for feeding the Church and so at least were Pastâ—rs and Teachers At that time none were chosen into office but such as were apt to teach and these he calls Brethren we might say in a manifold consideration but shall here only say they were Brethren in a pecuâ—iar sense holy Brethren and such as were put into the Ministry and so Brethren 1. To the Apostle 2. One to another 1. To the Apostle and so to denote That though he was preferred before them yet they were appointed to the same Service as he was in some measure fitted for the work of the Ministry and this is for instruction to other beleivers that they may not despise those that are oâ—er them in the Lord because they have not such knowledge and utterance as others who are taken away but to look upon such as are faithful in the Lord as Brethren of the Apostles and of those â—hat have more eminent gifts and fitness for holding forth the word of Life it was a great fault among the orinthians and they were reproved for it that they were puâ—t up so one against another one was of Paul another of Apoâ—lâ— c. Whereas all were theirs and they fellow labourers 1 Cor. 3. 4. 9. 2 Cor. 6 1. and by their thus overvaluing some they were apt to undervalue others and set light by them hence that instruction and admoniâ—ion if Timoth come see that he may be with you without fear for he worketh the work of the Lord as I also dâ— let no man therefore despise him c. 1 Cor. 16. 10 11. So again if any require of â—itus he is my partner and fellow helper concerning
ignorant of and not come unto Christ and the word of his grace that they may have life and so miss of it John 5. 39. Acts 13. 27. The holy Scriptures are no otherwise able to make wise to Salvation then thorow faith which is in Christ Jesus as before 2 Tim. 3. 15. Oh this is the great thing in the Scriptures and that by which God teacheth all things and leads into all truth Joh. 16. 43. 14. and unto which he gives testimony Act. 14. 3 and that by which all the Scriptures may be opened for his testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy the quintessence of all writ and it is the wisdom of God hence our Saviour in and by the Light hereof opeâ—ed thâ— Scriptures to his Diâ—ciples and inflamed their hearts and opened their eyes to understand the Scriptures Luk. 24 25 27 32. 44. 45. Rev 19. 10. And it is the power of God this was that which Christ was anointed to preach and he spake as one having authority and not as the Scribes to whom the vision of all was as a sealed book for though they were zealous for and strict in the observing lighter matters yet they passed over the great things of Gods Law judgement and the love of God Isa 61. 2. Mat. 7. 20 1 Cor. 1. 22. 23. The thing then to which he commits them it is the word of his grace not of ours as he had directed them to the most excellent person so here to the most excellent means for the discovering of him to us and this to shew us further the praise worthiness of this excellenâ— one and this is added that it may be a light to uâ— in our darkness For some might saâ— how shall we know Gods name or his sons Nâ—me how shall we know he hath bought us or hath any love toward us whether he gâ—ve himself a ransome for us and is our Shepherd many there are who seem to speak high of God that bring an hard report of him and deny that â—â— cordially loves the greatest part of men and so render his grace and the ground of incouragement for our coming to him doubtfuâ— and even cut off the feet Now that we may not be misled by them or by our own thoughts which in times of such great correction especially are leading us to call into question his love and faithfulness he not only commends them to God but to the word of his grace in which we mâ—y so behold him as to be strengthned to hate thoughts our own and others for every word of God is pure Prov. 30. 4. 5. That in God we may praise his word in the Lord we may praise his word and so in God we may put our trust Psal 56. 4. 10. We need not that any man teach us but as that anointing teacheth of all things and is truth and is no lye and even as it hath taught us we shall abide in him 1 Joh. 2. 27. Now for some usefulnesâ— to us in this thing to which he commends them we shall consider 1. What is this word of grace 2. Why it is so called 1. What is this word of grace Surely it is the same which he received of the Lord to testifie even the Gospel of the grace of God ver 24. And which he had preached even the Kingdom of God ver 25. All the counsel of God ver 27. Even the Gospel of Christ especiall as it is now revealed in the Revelation of the Mistery and that it is so appears by that Act. 14. 3. And compared with what goes before and follows There we have an account given us of Pauls exercise at Iconium and the success of it and how God stood by him for it is said he gave testimony to the word of his grace and when driven from Iconium he came to Lystra c. And there he preached the Gospel ver 6. 7. now ver 21. 22. It is said he returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch exhorting them to continue in the Faith namely in that word of faith which he had preached and they had received in which expression he sums up in one word what he had preached at those three places to signifie that it was but one thing and so that the word of his grace was the same he had preached at Auticâ—h Act. 13. 32. 39. and which he preacht at Lystra chap. 14. 7. to wit the Gospel Yea it there appears also that by the word of his grace is meant such a discovery of it as the Jews could not indure it was to the Jews who were seeking after a sign a stumbling block namely it is especially in the first things of it such a declaration of the grace of God as in which glad tidings is proclaimed to every poor sinful creature of mankind while it is called to day to the worst of men such as were the Gentiles and so to Idolaters Adulterers effeminate c see Act. 14. 2. 6 and 13 45. 47. with 1 Thes 2. 15. 16. Such as in which glad tidings of great joy is brought unto all people 2. Now this is called the word of his grace as in part is intimated and signified 1. Because it discovers the grace of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ and of the Father in him 1. In what Christ was abased and became obedient unto for us and hath by means and by vertue thereof effected and obtained into himself for us 2. In what he is now doing 3. In what he will do hereafter 2. Because in and with this word he gives Grace to Men. 3. Because he makes them partakers of grace thorow it that turn at his â—eproofs 1. It is called the word of his grace because herein he discovers his pitty and kindness to Man-ward and that 1. In what he was abased and became obedient unto for us and hath by means and by vertue thereof effected and obtained into himself for us and is become his grace is herein greatly evidenced that we might behold it he hath manifested his word and grace thorow preaching and so 1. His grace was manifested in this that he hath undertook and was abased for us was so excellent an one it was God laid down his life for us 1 Joh. 3. 16 One who was in the form of God and thought it no robbery to be equal with God Phil. 2 6. He was rich the Lord and heir of all things and yet was abased for us herein it appears it was grace there was nothing in us in that condition we were in to deserve such a favour and so to ingage him to it yea much that might have hindred as afterward may be seen Nor any thing for the future could be expected from us that might recompense his kindness yea his goodness extended not to himself for he could not be added unto for he was glorious with the Fathers own self before the World was this was therefore grace indeed and herein the
vvas that vvhich they favv in the light and evidence of the Spirit and accordingly did testifie even as the sum of their testimony that the Father sent the Son the Saviour of the world 1 John 4. 14. 1 Tim. 2. 4 7. 4. In this Word is discovered to us his grace in what he hath through and by means of his death effected and obtained into himself for us and is become And so 1. That which he hath effected thereby is that he hath saved us mankind in himself from that so great a death in which otherwise we must have perished for ever for in Jesus Christ mercy and truth are met righteousness and peace have kissed he hath satisfied God's justice fulfilled his truth appeased his wrath paid that our debt answered the Law and this is manifested in that God hath raised him from the dead in that same body in which he was crucified and in which he bare our sins on the Tree and he hath brought him again from the dead through his blood so precious was it in the sight of the Lord Heb. 13. 20. That same Jesus whom the Jews crucified in that same personal body in which he dyed for our sins is raised again and this was of absolute necessity for if he be not taken from prison we must dye and abide in our sins for ever preaching is vain and faith vain c. But he is raised from the dead in that body which was pierced with a spear and with those hands and feet which were nailed to the Tree John 19. 34. with Chap. 20. 20 25 27. And unto his Apostles he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs being seen of them fourty dayes Acts 1. 3. And as he is raised in that very body in which he suffered so also in that publick consideration being acquitted from all our sins that were imputed to him and having over come all our death and enemies that had led us captive He was declared and determined to be the Son of God in whom he is well pleased with power according to the spirit of holiness in the resurrection from the dead Rom. 1. 4. He is taken from prison and from judgment and as in him as in the publick man all have dyed and suffered the whole of the curse due to them for our first departure from God 2 Cor. 5. 14. So in him who is the last Adam they are acquitted For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God being justified freely by God's grace through the redemption that is in Jesus Rom. 3. 23 24. 5. 18. He hath so purged away our sins from before the presence of God the guilt whereof was imputed to him as that now the Father judgeth no man according to the Law as they fell under it in the first publick man Heb. 1. 3. with Iohn 5. 22. that is to say no man is condemned or held out from God either because our first Father hath sinned and we in him or because as we come to receive our beings we come forth and are born in sin and so naturally and necessarily polluted and defiled for he hath made peace slain the enmity that was between God and mankind taken out of the way all that was in the way contrary to us broken down the middle wall of partition and is become the way to the Father and God hath committed all judgment to the Son that all men should honour the Son Eph. 2. 13 15. Col. 2. 13 14. Ioh. 5. 22 23. Gal. 3. 13. And he hath spoiled principalities and powers led captivity captive and destroyed him that had the power of death that is the Devil Col. 2. 15. Psal 68. 18. See how this began to be spoken by the Lord himself as to both these branches Iohn 12. 31 32. Now saith he is the judgment of this world to wit it was now executing upon him when his soul was troubled the guilt of the trespasses of the world which made it liable to the judgment of God being imputed to him he was called to the judgment-seat and made a curse for us and God in him took vengeance of our iniquities he judged and condemned sin in the flesh of Christ Jesus Rom. 8. 3. Isa 61. 1 2. He was wounded for our transgressions bruised for our iniquities c. Now shall the Prince of this world be castâ—out namely out of his principality and from being the Prince of this world as he was according to that judgment for we were fallen under his dominion necessarily and must have so remained for ever had not God devised this blessed means And I if I be lifted up from the earth namely crucified and hung on the Tree will draw all men unto me That is by means of his death who in the vertue thereof is discharged and acquitted he would draw all men unto him and now in the first sense hath drawn them unto himself from under the judgment of this world which was executed upon him from under that sentence of banishment according to which they were shut out from God and must have perished in their sins and from being under the necessary dominion of Satan who was become the Prince of this world from under both he hath drawn them unto himself to be under his judgment his gracious Government and Lordship for to this end Christ both dyed rose and revived that he might be Lord both of the dead and living Lord of all Rom. 14. 9. Acts 10. 36. And to a gracious end did he dye for all and is raised again and hath the sentence of banishment remitted to him and brought us under his kingdom viz. that he might bring us back to God 1 Pet. 3. 18. 2 Cor. 5. 15. And of both these it appears the Psalmist prophetically speaks in Psal 136. where he provokes to give thanks to the Lord for his mercy and that first because of his creating all things ver 5. 9. and then for his great goodness towards the house of Israel which he bestowed on them ver 10 22. to which he adds he remembred us in our low estate when we were brought low for our iniquities and were justly banished from his presence in the sentence of his Law for his mercy endureth for ever and redeemed us from our enemies for his mercy indureth for ever ver 23 24. I say it appears he speaks of this redemption of mankind in Christ generally and of his mercy to the Gentiles particularly in that it is distinguished from his work of creation his goodness to Israel and his providing for and giving food to all flesh And the like is also said Col. 2. 14 15. yea he hath so saved all mankind in himself as that no man shall perish for ever in that first death of which our Jesus tasted and which he overcame and hath abolished but be raised out of it for since by man death by man also the resurrection of the dead For as in Adam
all dye so in Christ shall all be made alive 1 Cor. 15. 21 22. And when they are raised they shall not be judged according to that first rule of judgment buâ— God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ he is appointed the judge of quick and dead anâ— God will judge the world in righteousness by tâ—â—â— man â—ct 10. 42. 17. 31. and the rule by which he will judge â—â—â—â— will be according to Pauls Gospel in which is declared â—hâ—â— Christ dyed for all and by the grace of God â—asted 〈◊〉 for every man 2 Cor 5. 14 15. Heb. 2. 9. Rom. 2. 16. And he â—â—at believeth this Gospel as declared â—â— the means 〈◊〉 and is baptized shall be saved and he that believeth â—ot shall be damned Mark 16. 15 16. Joh. 16. 8 9. Rom. 2. 6 11. Jer. 31. 29 30. Ezek. 18. 2 4. Psal 68. 18 21. 2. He hath not only delivered us from so great a death and curse and from the hand of our deadly enemy who hated us but hath obtained and recovered all things into himself for us and is made perfect through sufferings that he might bring us back to God namely he hath obtained forgiveness spirit and grace and all power and authority in the name of the Father Forgiveness he is exalted with God's right hand a Prince and a Saviour to give repentance and forgiveness of sins Act. 5. 31. This man when he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever sate down c. namely from this work of offering any more his sacrifice being so acceptable as that he hath taken away the guilt of his sins which were imputed to him and hâ—th obtained power to forgive the sins of the people Heb. 7. 27. 10. 11 12. He is ascended up on high and hath led captivity captive and hath received gifts of justification forgiveness and spirit in the man for men as they come forth from Adam yea for the rebellious also which add rebellion unto their sin Job 34. 37. Psal 68. 18. Herein the free gift this grace in Christ exceeds the offence of the first man the judgment was by one offence to condemnation but the free gift is of many offences unto justification Rom. 5. 16. even of many offences that are distinct from that offence and unto which men are not thereby necessitated meerly of many offences in which men sin after the similitude of Adams transgression ver 14. through this man whom God raised again and who saw no corruption is preached the forgiveness of sins even of such sins as they that believe this preaching are justified from namely from such sins as they could not be justified from by the Law of Moses for which it afforded or directed to no sacrifice for a typical justification to wit rebellious presumptuous sins Act. 13. 38 39. with Numb 15. 30 31. The Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins Mat. 9. 6. and in him God is become a God gracious and merciful pardoning iniquity and transgression and sin Rom. 3. 25. Heb. 10. 14 18. In him the Apostles had in the testimony to declare redemption through his bloud even the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of Gods grace Eph. 1. 7. Col. 1. 14. Oh great consolation for us that have transgressed and have rebelled and have thereby procured such testimonies of displeasure as in which he hath been taking away faithful and eminent helpers in the Lord Oh excellent object and medium to be commended to that we may in the incouragement of his grace in what he hath done and is become and hath received come with boldness to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy forgiveness of our sin and grace to help in time of need Heb. 4. 16. And he hath received the immeasurable fulness of the Holy Ghost the spirit of grace Isa 11. 1 3. 42. 1. Joh. 3. 34. he is full of grace and truth Joh. 1. 14. In him are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge Col. 2. 3. This is the record that God hath given us eternal life even the knowledge and favour of God and fellowship with him and this life is in his Son 1 Ioh. 5. 10 11. all things are here ready Mat. 22. 4. durable riches and righteousness a feast of fat things for all people of fat things full of marrow Prov. 3. 13 18. 8. 18 19. Isa 25. 6. he is become a fountain of life and living waters to cool and refresh our thirsty souls and to wash us from all our pollutions and defilements Zech. 13. 1. Psal 36. 9. Ier. 2. 13. Yea it discovers the great power and authority and dominion which he hath recovered into and received in our nature and for us God hath given him power over all flesh over all mankind he is the Prince of the Kings of the earth and hath power over all creatures all power is given to him both in heaven and in earth Mat. 28. 18. God hath given him dominion over the works of his hands in this lower part of his Creation the which he gave to man in the first Adam but by their seeking out inventions they came short of this glory of God which he had conferred upon them Gen 1. 26 28. Eccl. 7. 29. Rom. 3. 23. but our Jesus hath redeemed this which was part of our possession and which we had sold and aliened and not only so but he hath power over Angels he hath obâ—â—iâ—â—d a more excellent name than they even than the holy and elect Angels they are now his and are instructed to worship him even all the Angels of God Heb. 1. 4 6. they are the Angels of the Son of man sent forth and ordered by him Mat. 24. 30 31. Heb. 1. 10 14. and his own right hand and his holy arm hath gouen himself the victory over the evil Angels he hath bound the strong man spoiled principalities and powers and God hath put all things under his feet Eph. 1. 20 21. Psal 98. 1. This was that which was more darkly prophefied of by the Prophet Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands thou hast put all things under his feet all sheep and oxen yea and the beasts of the field even the great and wild beasts the fear of him is upon them the fowl of the Air and the fish of the Sea and whatsoever passeth thorow the paths of the Sea Psal 8. 5 8. He hath the dominion over these that he may give food to all flesh during his pleasure and that he may preserve from the â—ury and rage of the wildest and strongest of them that mens lives may be preserved while it is the day of his grace and for the peculiar good of those that believe Job 5. 22 23. Yea the Apostle citing that place in the Psalmist and shewing it was spoken concerning our Jesus doth also explicate it unto us and shews that he hath obtained a more excellent